Description
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad is a playful fusion dish that marries the flavors of Mexican street corn with pasta salad. In Mexican street corn, fresh corn is grilled or roasted, then topped with a mix of creamy mayonnaise, cheese, chili powder, and lime juice. This salad takes those same ingredients and adds cooked pasta to make it a filling, satisfying dish.
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
- Pasta: 12 oz (such as rotini or penne)
- Corn: 2 cups (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- Red bell pepper: 1, diced
- Green onions: 1/2 cup, sliced
- Cilantro: 1/4 cup, chopped
- Cotija cheese: 1/2 cup, crumbled (or feta cheese)
For the Dressing
- Mayonnaise: 1/2 cup
- Sour cream: 1/2 cup
- Lime juice: 2 tablespoons
- Chili powder: 1 teaspoon
- Garlic powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt: To taste
- Black pepper: To taste
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
- Boil Pasta:
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
Step 2: Prepare the Corn
- Cook Corn:
- If using fresh corn, you can grill or sauté it in a skillet until slightly charred. If using frozen corn, simply thaw it. For canned corn, drain and rinse.
Step 3: Mix the Salad
- Combine Ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, corn, diced red bell pepper, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, and crumbled Cotija cheese.
Step 4: Make the Dressing
- Prepare Dressing:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Step 5: Combine Salad and Dressing
- Mix Together:
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Step 6: Chill and Serve
- Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Chill before serving to enhance the flavors. Top with crumbled cotija cheese, extra cilantro, or a squeeze of lime for a zesty finishing touch!
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad